The Nutcracker

I took Ian and Josie this year. Ian insisted that he had never seen it until he saw the battle of the toy soldiers and the mouse army. No one could forget the Sendak Mouse King. He only asked when it would be over a couple of times. Josie, on the other hand, loved every second and so did I.

3 (yesterday)

Happy Birthday to James. He is three. And an angel. (No, not really.)

We started out the day opening presents - which is a great way to start out any day.
Then we headed to Tacoma to meet the Penrods for a Chuck E Cheese lunch and some fun.



Then to the Santa train to tell him all about the fun stuff we want for Christmas. Ian went first because he has a lot to say.


James thought is was magical and horrifying all at once, especially when Santa had us stand up so the whole train could sing him the Happy Birthday Song.

But he took the candy cane anyway.



After the cold and rainy train ride, we had cookies and hot chocolate around a warm, wood stove.

Then home for some candles, cupcakes, friends, more presents and lots of cute three-year-old smiles from the birthday boy. Love that kid.

Things I love about Jamesy at 3:
- He giggles while he is playing tag with his brother.
- He insists on playing duck duck goose as our activity every family night.
- He is obsessed with Boba Fett and Lightning McQueen.
- Nothing makes him happier than having "lone time" to play with his toys in peace (he actually asks Ian to leave).
- He LOVES Target. If it were up to him we would go daily. I think he might choose that over going to the park or to a play date.
- He is always aware of where we are in the car and what turns we should be making.
- He is getting to be very affectionate and he tells me I am the best mom ever. Who wouldn't love that.
- He is so fun to buy presents for because he is so excited to open them, screams "this is my favorite" when he does and plays with everything he gets. Christmas is going to be fun.
- He like to put his arms around me and put cover his hands with my hair. He says because my hair is warm.
- He takes my face in both hands and pulls me in for a kiss - on the cheek - he doesn't like lip kissing.

The tree

Tuesday night we were off to the tree farm to pick out a tree.

There was a huge snowman that blew snow out of his...mustache?






Both boys are so excited about Christmas - but Ian seems to be at the perfect age where he really believes in the magic of Christmas and is also starting to understand the meaning of Christmas. Somehow it makes it even more magical to me.

Me: Ian what else is on your Christmas list for Santa?
Ian: I don't know, maybe Lego Star Wars II.
Me: I didn't know they had that, have you seen it?
Ian: Mom! Santa can make anything - he could even make Lego Star Wars three, four and five.
Me: That sounds like a lot of work, maybe we should stick to things that already exist.

Ian's Star Wars fantasy

Ian: Mom if James gives me his three dollars I will have 40 dollars and then I will only need 60 more to buy the AT AT.
Me: Well if you asked Santa for it, maybe he will bring it for you and you won't have to buy one.
Ian: Mom, the movie had five.

Wishful thinking, little one.

Scott and Doris

I really, truly, wish this wasn't the ONLY picture we have of Scott and Doris' trip. We had so much fun hanging out with them and wish they didn't live quite so far away (Hong Kong). Hopefully we can visit them soon...

I met the baby!

Last weekend I went to San Diego all by myself to meet this sweet little girl. She is totally a snuggler, and darling and perfect.

And to play with this crazy little girl. She comes up with some of the funniest things I have ever heard.

And to do lots of holiday crafting and shopping with this sister. It was dreamy.

Oh, and of course, to go to Legoland (I actually felt a little guilty being there without my boys - they would have loved it).

Loved the palm trees and the poinsettias.

And Santa in a swim suit???




We hit the beach on my way to the airport.

Unfortunately, James got the 24 hour flu while I was gone and made the awesome boys weekend they had planned "not awesome" (according to Ian). Thanks for taking care of our sick boys Curty. And thanks for the ticket mom and dad!

This Thanksgiving...

I was really thankful for child slaves.

Especially the kind that clean up after themselves.




Actually, I have a million things I am grateful for this year - but those two boys seem to make everything else pale in comparison. They are the best gifts I have ever been given.

Tuesday snow

Was all about this:


And then this:

No school today or tomorrow - happy thanksgiving vacation to us!

Monday snow

Today felt like the kind of winter day that I love - cancelled school, hot chocolate, sledding and snowballs. I know it seems like overkill , but we don't get winter here like this very often - especially not in November.








p.s. it turns out that sledding with one adult and two littles is a LOT of work. Maybe we will go again tonight with some help...

Sunday snow

Today we woke up to snow. It made me happy - it turned my boys in to giggling, hyper, maniacs. They were so, so excited. James asked if it was Christmas. If only there was enough to build a snowman (it is still snowing - I guess we will wait and see).

.

Looks like it is a little hard for James to bend over in his fat suit.

Asking me if he can throw a snowball at me.

Yo Gabba Gabba

Saturday we went to see Yo Gabba Gabba live at the Tacoma Dome. It was crazy - lots of singing, dancing, balloons and the Biz - we even got to go meet the characters at the after party. Thanks Kristyn and Jon for the tickets!
We also had the Henries come stay with us for the holiday weekend and go with us to the show - it always amazes me how much our kids love each other even though they don't get to see each other that often. Kind of like cousins.

My camera has been hiding all month - this is the only picture in my November folder....hmn I'll have to see what I can do about that.

Bye Bye binky

Today the binky fairy came and took away James' binky and left him a new Lightning McQueen car. He was really excited about the car and ready to give up his binky.
Tonight it took him an hour and a half to fall alseep. I was so desperate I let him have strawberry milk in bed and I finally ended up laying with him until he fell asleep. All I could think was - please can he have his binky back? But he couldn't, because apparently the binky fairy already gave them to baby Dallas.
I did hear some pretty cute things in his bed, like "Mom, is I'm a boy?", "I need a kiss on my cheek", and "is it free (3) o'clock?".
I hope I can make it.